Google Chrome to Block Annoying Website Redirects

Google’s plan to curb ad-filled websites is in full effect. In order to take the browsing experience to the next level, Google is updating Chrome with the ability to block annoying website redirects. Reports reveal that the tech giant will roll out three security features to Chrome that will play a vital role in the battle against malvertising.

The particular aim of these upcoming Google Chrome features is to protect users against deceptive behaviors like auto-redirects and ‘trick-to-click’ experiences. The search tycoon will put a stop on ads that automatically navigate users to a new page by virtue of paid content. Once this happens, users will remain on the current page while a toolbar at the top side of the browser will display highlighting that a redirect has been blocked.

Another issue that users face is that whenever they click on any link, the new link will not only opens in a new tab but also causes the original page to navigate to a different, unintended webpage. Google is calling this type of behavior as a ‘circumvention of Chrome’s pop-up blocker’ and is planning to block annoying website redirects in Chrome 65. Along with detecting and blocking the redirect, the web browser will also trigger an info bar and prevent the main tab from being redirected.

Google Chrome will even start restricting ‘abusive experiences’ that send users to unintended destinations and are disguised as transparent overlays, site controls or video playback buttons. Ryan Schoen, the product manager of Chrome, said in a blog post,

“Together these protections will dramatically improve users’ web browsing experiences while still allowing them access to all that the web has to offer.”

Reports suggest that the first security update may be released at the end of January 2018 and will block annoying website redirects via iframes. Later on, Google Chrome will block tab-under behaviors as well as misleading UI elements that may also trigger redirects to malicious sites. All these features will become available in Chrome 64, which is currently available in the Canary and Dev channels.

Although Google is yet to introduce the new ways to safeguard you from different website redirects, your Chrome browser can provide some protection even today. Some vague reports indicate that the latest stable release of Google Chrome has a hidden feature to block annoying website redirects generated via a third-party iframe. All you need to do is just navigate to the address bar, type ‘chrome://flags/#enable-framebusting-needs-sameorigin-or-usergesture’ and then enable the option dubbed ‘Framebusting requires same-origin or a user gesture’. Once done, restart your Chrome browser and you’ll be protected from website redirects to some extent.

Rajni Kapil is a professional writer, writing online content for a considerably long time. She has an undying passion for technology and keeps herself abreast of the latest developments in the field. When not writing, she enjoys music, dancing, writing poetry, and most importantly bringing smile to everyone’s face.